Translator: AnubisTL
The vendor shook his head, patiently explaining, "This is quite rare. Aside from those reckless intercontinental merchants, I never thought anyone else would come to the Tonggu Continent."
"There are several ways to earn merit points. You can accept missions issued by the city or set up a stall like mine to sell goods."
"Of course, the fastest method is to earn glorious battle merits in war."
"As long as you have enough merit points, you can exchange them for anything you desire within the city—spiritual materials, spiritual objects, everything is available for trade. You can even travel to the Giant Spirit Royal City to acquire even more precious treasures."
"There was even a case where someone obtained a fragment of a true spirit descendant's remains from the Giant Spirit Royal City and refined it into a heaven-piercing spirit treasure!"
Hearing this, Li Qing's eyes lit up. He hadn't realized the merit points were so valuable.
In truth, this system was a reward mechanism established by the Giant Spirit Race to incentivize their vassal races to strive for battle merits and contribute more to the war effort.
This ancient inheritance belonged to a powerful clan with great ascension ancestors. Their immortal dao resources were undoubtedly world-shattering!
Suppressing his inner excitement, Li Qing asked again, "Do wandering merchants from other continents frequently visit Profound Ancient City? I'd like to know which merchant you acquired this Lihuo Profound Jade from."
The stall owner explained, "It's not a common occurrence. While some established merchant guilds maintain regular trade routes, smaller caravans often visit only once and never return."
"Crossing the continent is no easy feat; too many unforeseen events could occur along the way."
In the end, Li Qing failed to acquire the Lihuo Profound Jade. However, after further inquiry, he learned that the seller wouldn't be leaving anytime soon and would continue trading at the market.
As soon as Li Qing left the market, the Profound Yellow True Flame within him could no longer contain its agitation.
"Li Qing! Why didn't you buy that Lihuo Profound Jade immediately? What if someone else snatches it up?!"
"I'm certain those dao patterns were left by a heavenly monarch! There's no mistaking it!"
Hearing this, Li Qing rolled his eyes and retorted, "I'd love to buy it, but I need enough merit points first."
"How about I sell you? Let's see if a heavenly spirit fire with spiritual intelligence can fetch thirty to fifty thousand merit points. Then I'll just buy the jade myself."
At this, the Profound Yellow True Flame finally fell silent, suppressing its agitation.
Indeed, Li Qing's earlier persistence in inquiring about the Lihuo Profound Jade had been driven by the Profound Yellow True Flame's urging.
It sensed the aura of the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch within the jade, and was certain that the patterns were left by him.
Whether Li Qing could glean anything from them would depend on whether his Crimson Blaze Heaven-Burning Art could resonate with the patterns.
"Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and find a way to earn merit points! Don't let someone else beat you to it!" the Profound Yellow True Flame urged impatiently.
Li Qing shook his head. "Don't worry. The spirituality within the Lihuo Profound Jade has already been used to condense the patterns. It can't be used for refining treasures anymore, so its value has plummeted. It'll be hard to sell."
"Besides, if we wait a bit longer, we might be able to haggle for a better price. Didn't you hear him say he won't be leaving anytime soon?"
He planned to settle in the city first, figure out the value of merit points, and then devise a plan.
Just as Li Qing was about to head into the city to check out the mission board, a sudden surge of energy rippled through the sky.
A squadron of soldiers riding flying warhorses descended before him. Unlike the city guards, these men exuded a more lethal aura. Their armor was all magic treasures, and they were clearly cultivators who practiced body refinement!
"Senior, we are the city lord's royal guard and answer only to his commands."
"The city lord requests your presence at the city lord's manor. Would now be a convenient time?"
The city lord had summoned him!
Li Qing was surprised that his arrival had so quickly alerted the strongest figure in Profound Ancient City. He was also curious about how the royal guard had located him so precisely, considering he had been concealing his aura since entering the city, making it nearly impossible to track his movements. He hadn't noticed anyone following him along the way.
Sensing Li Qing's confusion, the royal guard explained:
"Senior, you may not be aware, but the city's formation can detect the aura of every token after it enters the city. As long as you carry the token, we can pinpoint your location."
So that's how it works, Li Qing thought, nodding in understanding. "Very well, lead the way."
Li Qing followed the royal guard as they soared into the sky. The city lord's manor was located on a Sky Island hidden amidst the clouds, where the spiritual energy was exceptionally dense.
After entering Sky Island, a middle-aged man slowly emerged from the city lord's manor.
The moment Li Qing saw him, a chill ran down his spine. The man seemed to have merged completely with heaven and earth, his presence utterly undetectable.
"Hahahaha! As expected, an ascended from the lower realm! The aura on your body hasn't fully assimilated with this world yet."
"Little friend, your ascension journey must have been quite perilous. Though your realm hasn't fallen, many of your meridians are severed. If you don't repair them promptly, it could damage your foundation."
The middle-aged man burst into hearty laughter, instantly revealing Li Qing's true condition.
It was clear: this man was the strongest cultivator in Profound Ancient City!
"This humble one is Li Qing. Greetings, Senior!" Li Qing naturally showed the utmost respect to a cultivator whose realm far surpassed his own.
This was the most powerful human he had ever encountered, and a guardian of the human race in this region, deserving of his deepest reverence.
The middle-aged man waved his hand dismissively. "No need for such formalities, Little Friend Li Qing. Once your cultivation is fully restored, you'll likely catch up to me in no time."
"Ascended beings from the lower realm are highly esteemed on any continent they arrive on."
This was the first time Li Qing had heard such a thing. He hadn't realized his status as an ascended being was so well-received; he had assumed he would face discrimination or suppression from the native human race of the spirit realm.
Clearly, he had been mistaken.
Perhaps things had been different long ago, but as more ascended beings arrived in the spirit realm and demonstrated their astonishing potential, the native human race of the spirit realm had completely changed their attitude.
"Little friend, you may not know this, but if you had ascended to the Heavenly Origin Continent, you would have received even greater care. Even the ancient Eternal Longevity Clans would have extended olive branches to you."
"But since you've come to my Profound Ancient City, I, as its city lord, will naturally not neglect you!"
"Come, let's talk inside the mansion!"
The middle-aged city lord was warm and hospitable, immediately inviting Li Qing into his official residence.
"Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation," Li Qing replied, clasping his hands in another formal greeting.
(End of the Chapter)
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